Canada, Finland and Sweden all got bad injury-related news in the days before the Olympics. The United States seemed to be in the clear — until Saturday night.

Max Pacioretty, the Team USA/Montreal Canadiens winger, left his game against the Carolina Hurricanes with an apparently left leg injury. He'd been checked into the goal post and needed help off the ice.

Pacioretty's 26 goals this season are third-most among American Olympians to Phil Kessel (30) and Joe Pavelski (29) and 11th overall in the league. So, needless to say, he'd be missed. The 150 or so NHL Olympians are heading to Sochi tomorrow.

That said, if it's necessary, Kyle Okposo of the New York Islanders should replace Pacioretty. He's got 24 goals to Ryan's 20, 38 assists to Ryan's 22, and has 18 points in 17 games since Jan. 1. Ryan has six (2G, 4A). Factor in Okposo's versatility and superior recent puck-possession numbers, and the choice seems easy enough.

Plus, as the Team U.S. coaching staff and front office has said, they only see Ryan as a top-six winger. There are still no openings there, so you might as well give them someone they'd play. Both guys can probably spell "intense," though.

UPDATE: The Hockey Insider's Bob McKenzie reports Pacioretty's initial prognosis is he's expected to be "good to go" for Sochi.

If that prognosis on Pacioretty changes, will pass along any updates but, for now, I'd operate on assumption he's still going to Olympics.